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Joe Joyce was urged to retire after failing Filip Hrgovic on Saturday.
Joyce has won only once in the last five games since defeating Joseph Parker in 2022, a victory against Kash Ali.
Joyce suffered consecutive shutdown losses. Last year, Derek Chisora dropped him and continued to beat the Londoners with points.
The 39-year-old British man played 10 rounds with Hrgovic but lost his unanimous decision.
Afterwards, the Croatians called on Joyce to retire from boxing.
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Helgovich said of Joyce: “I think he can do a tough fight for anyone. Because he’s just tough, he keeps coming, he punches, he’s big.
“But I think it’s better to retire for his health.”
Hrgovic added: “He went through a lot of tough fights. He got a lot of fists. His style is open, not that great defense, and like I said, he can give anyone a tough fight. But I think he should retire because of his health. Ultimately, healthy after boxing; stay healthy after boxing.”
Joyce’s career is tough
The Londoner is the highest amateur, beating Helgovich in the World Boxing match a few years ago. Joyce won the Olympic silver medal and unfortunately won’t be able to win gold at the 2016 Rio Prize.
Joyce was impressed by the professionals, with Chalk winning the victory of Daniel Dubois and other top heavyweights as well as Parker.
“He is a warrior. I respect him. He has achieved amazing achievements as an amateur and professional,” Hrgovic noted.
But he added: “He may be too old now. I think he should retire, and that’s my opinion. There’s no disrespect, but I think it’s the best for him.”
Promoter Frank Warren told Queensbury’s YouTube channel that Joyce “has to seriously consider his future.”
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Joe Joyce’s mom, Marvel Opara, talks about her emotions, watches her son fight and calls for more audio descriptions in boxing matches to follow better.
“There is no haste, but that’s what he needs to do now,” Warren said. “He plays like them.
“He’s going to want a fight, I know he’s going to. But he needs to sit down with his family and think about the future seriously. There’s no easy way for him.
“But whatever he does, we support him. When you grow up in boxing, of course, when you fight in Joe’s way, you have to really think about what the consequences will have.
“He is a lovely guy, one of the best people I’ve ever worked with, and I just want the best people right now.”
